UK Cheese Exporters Group Announced

The main aim will be to improve opportunities for collaboration, such as product development and the sharing of market intelligence.

David Heath, the minister of state for agriculture and food, said, “I’m very pleased to give my personal support to this new Dairy UK initiative that should be very complementary to work to boost the dairy industry through improving its exports capability.”

Jim Begg, director of Dairy UK, added, “We’re very excited about this new group and particularly pleased that David Heath has given it his support. The overall objective of the initiative is to encourage British cheesemakers to focus more on export markets for cheese.

“One of the key activities of the new group will be examination of opportunities for collaborative activity. This might involve product development, sharing market intelligence, joint marketing activities and sharing routes to market.

“Other group activities will include liaison with Defra and UKTI, sharing market information and best practice on export markets and identification of priority countries for resolution of outstanding export health certification issues.

“David Heath will, on behalf of both Defra and Dairy UK, soon be writing to cheesemakers to invite them to attend the first meeting of the group.”